Judge doubles bail for O.J. Simpson

LAS VEGAS – A judge Wednesday castigated O.J. Simpson for violating the terms of his bail by trying to contact a co-defendant in his armed robbery case, and doubled the former football star’s bail to $250,000.

“I don’t know, Mr. Simpson, what the heck you were thinking, or maybe that’s the problem – you weren’t,” District Judge Jackie Glass said. “… I don’t know if it’s just arrogance. I don’t know if it’s ignorance. But you’ve been locked up at the Clark County Detention Center since Friday because of arrogance or ignorance or both.”

Simpson, 60, has been charged with taking sports collectibles at gunpoint from two memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room. He has said most of the items were stolen from him, and he has denied guns were involved in the incident.

The Hall of Fame running back, who is facing the possibility of life in prison, and two co-defendants have pleaded not guilty. Their trial is scheduled for April.

When Glass asked whether Simpson – who was handcuffed and wearing navy jail garb – understood court orders issued in September not to contact anyone involved in the case, he replied: “I understand 100 percent, your honor,” his voice catching slightly.

Simpson posted bond Wednesday night. His attorney, Yale Galanter, said Simpson’s friends had put up his bail money.

Simpson was in court because, shortly after his November preliminary hearing, he left a message for his bail bondsman regarding co-defendant Clarence J. Stewart Jr.

Prosecutor Christopher Owens argued Wednesday that Simpson was trying to interfere in negotiations with his co-defendants and asked that Simpson be placed under house arrest and that his bail be revoked or set at $1 million.